Grooving machine



Oct.20, 1942. R, lL Ms 2,299,198

GROOVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 99 '7 80 79 FiTE.

2/ INVENTOR Lou/.5 E. U/ILLl/IMS BY ATTORNEYS 1942- L. R. WILLIAMSGROOVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS PatentedOct. 20, 1942 GROOVING MACHINE Louis E. Williams, West Hollywood, Califassign or of one-half to Richard T. Avard, San Gabriel,

Calif.

Application August '1, 1940, serial No. 351,741

(or. ear-180) 18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of grooving surfaces offloors, Walls and roofs of brick, cementitious and other materials forutilitarian and ornamental purposes.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine particularlyadapted, although not necessarily for use in the forming of a groove orgrooves in vertical surfaces such as parapet walls, fire walls, curtainwalls, building walls and other Walls above and adjoining floors androofs, as Well as sloping roof surfaces confronting oppositely slopingroof surfaces, such grooves when for-med above a roof, being adapted toreceive roof flashing and caulking materials to produce a watertightjoint between the upper edges of the roofing materials under theflashing, and the adjoining wall or roof, as the case may be.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovedescribed character which traverses a supporting surface such as a flooror roof while operating on a surface above the supporting surface byforming a groove therein which will be parallel to the line defining thejunction of the two surfaces, as Well as by forming a continuation ofthe groove parallel to such junction around corners and across changesin grade of the supporting surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grooving machinestructurally characterized by its relatively light weight; inherentstability insuring rigid mounting of the machine and ease ofmanipulation to effect accurate grooving of a surface; simple andpositive means of feeding the cutting element to rapidly form a grooveto a predetermined depth; its capability of being easily and quicklyadjusted vertically to form a groove at any desired height above thesupporting surface; and its tiltable adjustment to compensate for theangularity of a roof surface from the horizontal and/or the angularityfrom the vertical, of the surface in which the groove is to be formed.

With these and other objects in View, the invention resides in thecombinations and arrangements of elements as set forth in the followingspecification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a plan view of the grooving machine embodying thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View of the lower portion of the groovingmachine in side elevation;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure l,with the motor of the machine in elevation;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure3;;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary'se'ctional view taken on the line5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6--6 ofFigure2.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the invention, in its presentembodiment, comprises a carriage C composed of a flat plate ID havingears i I in which are mounted vertical spindles 12 on yokes' l3 carryingtwo alined grooved wheels i5 adapted to travel on the head I6 of a.track H. The spindles 12 are secured to the ears II by nuts I8 and aresuffi'ciently free in the ears to allow the wheels to rotate about theaxes of the spindles to conform to curved portions of the track atcorners of a vertical wall W in which a groove G is to be formed as themachine rolls on the front wheels l5 and on a single rear wheel 23 over'a horizontal or sloping supporting surface S such as a floor or roof.

The rear wheel rolls on a fiat track 2| and is mounted in a yoke 22having a spindle 2'3 keyed at 24 in an opening in the plate Ill andprovided with a nut 25 for clamping one or more shims 26 on the spindlebetween the underside of the plate l0 and the yoke 22 to enable theheight of the carriage above the surface S at the wheel Zll to bevaried. and thus have the effect of tilting the carriage, all forthe'purpose of varying the direction of the cut with respect to thehorizontal, to be later described.

The plate H] is provided between the three rollers l5 and 29 with acollar 33 internally threaded at 3| to receive a bearing element 32 inthe form of an externally threaded annulus on which is mounted a'connector element 33 also in the form of an annulus having a radialflange 34 resting on the upper edge of the element 32, and an axialflange 35 entering the element 32. The external surface of the axialflange 35 is a portion of a cone frustum, and the opposed internalsurface of the element, 32 is complementary thereto, as shown in Figure3, so that the element 33 will be self-centering, and a snug rotaryworking fit in the element 32 insured.

The element 33 is provided with three posts equally spacedcircumferentially within an angular distance of approximately (Figure 4)on which rests a second bearing element 4| in the form of an annulushaving aring gear 42 secured thereto by bolts 43. the ring gear and thebearing element 41 into the posts 40' to secure such parts to the posts,so

- that for all practical purposes the connector ele- Other bolts 44 passthrough ment 33, bearing element 4| and ring gear 42 become a singleunit rotatably mounted in the bearing element 32.

Rotatively seating in an upward facing annular recess 45 of the bearingelement 4| is the lower end of the shell 46 of a vertical type electricmotor 41 which is confined against upward displacement from the bearingelement 4| by a disk 48 secured to the lower hub 49 of the motor byscrews 59 and having its peripheral portion rotatively seating in adownwardly facing annular recess 5| of the bearing element 4|.

The depending shaft 52 of the motor, which is co-axially related to thebearing element 4|, has fixed thereto a drive pulley 53 for a doublebelt 54 trained over a relatively small driven pulley 55 fixed to avertical shaft 56 journaled in spaced bearings 51 on the outer section58 of an extensible arm 59, the inner section 39 of which fits snuglybetween the bearing element 4| and the flange 34 of the connectorelement 33 and is rigidly secured thereto by screws 6|. Theextensibility of the arm 59 is provided by bolts 62 in one sectionpassing through longitudinal slots 63 in the other section, and enablesthe belts 54 to be properly tensioned and removed from the pulleys asdesired. In order to prevent slipping of one section on the other, dueto the pull exerted by the belts when in operation, an adjustable stopscrew 64 is threaded through an ear 65 on the inner section 69 and abutsa lug 65 on the outer section 58.

Fixed to the lower end of the shaft 55 is a grooving element I9 in theform of an abrading wheel which is fed against the surface of the wall Wby rotation of the ring gear 42 through the medium of a driving piniongear 7| constantly meshing with the ring gear and fixed to a shaft I2journaled in bearings I3 and I4 on the motor shell 46 and in a footbearing I5, the shaft being supported by a collar I5 adjustable on theshaft and clamped thereto by a thumb screw TI so as to rest upon thebearing I4. The upper end of the shaft is provided with a handwheel I8to enable the shaft to be conveniently rotated by an operator. A handleI9 is pivotally mounted in ears 89 projecting from the carriage C toenable the operator to shift the machine along the tracks I! and 2|.

A latching pin 95 (Figure 5) having a knob 86 is mounted vertically in asleeve 81 in the flange 34 of the connector element 33 and is urged by aspring 88 to enter any one of a circular series of openings 89 in thebearing element 32 to latch the element 33 to the element 32 for apurpose to be later described. A diametric holding pin 99 in the pin isadapted to rest upon the upper end of the sleeve 81 or to enter an axialslot 9| in the latter according as the pin 90 is to be maintained in thenonlatching position shown in Figure 5 or released for movement tolatching position when registered with one of the openings 89.

Subtending from opposite sides of the plate I9 are bosses in which isjournaled a rock shaft 96 to the ends of which are fixed arms 91 and 98carrying wheels 99, the axes of which are in right angular relationshipto the axes of the wheels I5. The arm 91 is in the form of a bellcrankto provide a vertical lever I99 to which is pivoted one end of a linkI9I, the other end of which is pivoted to an actuating lever I92 fixedto a second rock shaft I93 journaled in bearings in the plate I9 andspanning a slot I94 in the latter.

Mounted for rising and lowering movement in vertically slottedextensions I95 below the plate I9 is an axle I96 carrying a wheel I91and actuated by an arm I98 on the shaft I93, through the medium of linksI99. The axis of the wheel I91 is parallel to that of the wheels 99,and, in the raised position of these wheels shown in Figure 2, the pointof connection of the link IN to the actuating lever I92 is above theaxis of the rock shaft I93, and is maintained in this position by theweight of the lever. However, by moving the lever I92 in the directionof the arrow in Figure 2 until the lever abuts a stop H9 on thecarriage, the link I9! will be moved beyond a dead center position so asto maintain the wheels 99 and I9! in a lowered position wherein theWheels I5 and 29 are raised from the tracks I! and 2| sufficiently forthe machine to be rolled away from the wall W on the wheels 99 and I91.

The operation of the invention is as follows: With the machine mountedfor movement as shown in the drawings, and the motor 41 supplied withcurrent to drive the grooving disk I9 at high speed in the direction ofthe arrow in Figure 1, the handwheel 18 is rotated to rotate the ringgear 42 and hence the bearing element 4|, connector element 33, and arm59 as a unit about the axis of the motor and in a direction to advancethe disk I9 against the wall W so as to effect grooving of the latter asthe machine is rolled forward on the tracks by the handle I9. Thisrevolving movement of the disk I9 is accomplished due to the fact thatthe motor 41 is prevented from rotating by the connection of the shaft12 to the foot bearing I5, such movement of the disk being limited bythe disposition of the shaft I2 in the path of the arm, and beingsufiicient to cut a groove of any depth required in practice.

Any slight adjustment of the grooving element I9 vertically can bereadily accomplished by releasing the latching pin 85 for operation inconnecting the connecting element 33 and the bearing element 32 torotate as a unit. Thus, with the arm 59 swung through a large angle in acounterclockwise direction in Figure 4, followed by engagement of thepin 88 in one of the openings B9, rotation of the arm 59 will cause thethreads of the bearing member 32 to co-act with those of the collar 39in vertically adjusting the grooving disk in one direction. Oppositerotational movement of the arm 59 will vertically adjust the groovingdisk in the opposite direction. Any major vertical adjustment of thegrooving disk is effected by raising the shaft I2 clear of the footbearing "I5 and maintaining the shaft raised by the collar I6 followedby the desired rotation of the arm 59 in one direction or the other withthe machine backed away from the wall W.

By removing or adding shims 29 to the spindle 23,'the machine can bereadily tilted to cause grooving of the wall at an upward or downwardangle to the horizontal, as desired.

It is to be understood that in the interpretation of the claims, theterms vertical and horizontal as used therein are to be broadlyconstrued, as they are intended to refer only to the relative positionsof the elements when the machines are operating on a true horizontal andare adjusted to cut a true horizontal groove in a Vertical wall. It willbe obvious that these positions will vary to a greater or less extent,depending on the slope of the roof or wall in aaeaies cutting a grooveparallel to the junction of the roof and wall. Furthermore, the termvertical wall shall be considered inclusive of steeply sloping surfaces,in which grooves may be desired for the insertion of roof flashing andcaulking materials.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a groovingelement; means mounting said element from the carriage for rotationabout a vertical axis and for pivotal adjustment about a second verticalaxis on the carriage; means on the carriage and said mounting meansco-acting to adjust said element to effect grooving of a verticalsurface by the element when rotated as the carriage is advanced alongthe length of the surface; means supported by the carriage andoperatively connected to the grooving element to drive the latter; andmeans coactable with the carriage and said mounting means by whichpivotal adjustment of the grooving element will effect verticaladjustment thereof to vary the height of the groove above a supportingsurface on which the carriage travels.

2. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement; means mounting said element on the carriage for verticaladjustment in response to rotational movement of the element; a groovingelement; means mounting the grooving element on the bearing element forrevolving adjustment about the axis of the latter and for rotation abouta vertical axis; a prime mover supported by said mounting means andhaving a drive shaft co-axially related to the bearing element; meansoperatively connecting the drive shaft with the grooving element torotate the latter; and means by which the bearing element can beconnected to said mounting means for rotation therewith in response torevolving adjustment of the grooving element so as to effect verticaladjustment of the grooving element relative to the carriage.

3. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement; means mounting said element on the carriage for verticaladjustment in response to rotation movement of the element; a groovingelement; means mounting the grooving element on the bearing element forrevolving adjustment about the axis of the latter and for rotation abouta vertical axis; a prime mover supported by said mounting means andhaving a drive shaft co-axially related to the bearing element; meansoperatively connecting the drive shaft with the grooving element torotate the latter; and a latching pin carried by said mounting means;the bearing element having openings adapted to be entered by thelatching pin to connect the bearing element to the mounting means forrotation therewith in response to revolving adjustment of the groovingelement so as to effect vertical adjustment of the'grooving elementrelative to the carriage,

4. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement; means mounting said element on the carriage for verticaladjustment in response to rotational movement of the element; a groovingelement; means mounting the grooving element on the bearing element forrevolving adjustment about the axis of the latter and for rotation abouta vertical axis; a gear fixed to said mounting means coaxially of thebearing element; means mounted on the carriage and co-actable with saidgear to mover supported by said mounting means and operating connectedto the grooving element to drive the latter; and means by which thebearing element can be connected to said mounting means for rotationtherewith in response to revolving adjustment of the grooving element soas to effect vertical adjustment of the grooving element relative to thecarriage.

5. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement; means mounting said element on the carriage for verticaladjustment in response to rotation movement of the element; a groovingelement; means mounting the grooving element on the bearing element forrevolving adjustment about the axis of the latter and for rotation abouta vertical axis; a prime mover supported by said mounting means andhaving a drive shaft co-axially related to the bearing element; meansoperatively connecting the drive shaft with the grooving element torotate the latter; means by which the bearing element can be connectedto said mounting means for iotation therewith in response to revolvingadjustment of the grooving element so as to effect vertical adjustmentof the grooving element relative to the carriage; a gear fixed to saidmounting means co-axially of the bearing element; an actuating shaftjournaled vertically on the carriage and prime mover; and means on saidshaft co-actable with the gear to rotate the latter while the primemover remains stationary, so as to effect rotation of the mounting meansand hence revolving adjustment of the grooving element.

6. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement; means mounting said element on the carriage for verticaladjustment in response to rotational movement of the element; a groovingelement; means mounting the grooving element on the bearing element forrevolving adjustment about the axis of the latter and for rotation abouta vertical axis; a prime mover supported by said mounting means andhaving a drive shaft co-axially related to the bearing element; meansoperatively connecting the drive shaft with the grooving element torotate the latter; means by which the bearing element can be connectedto said mounting means for rotation therewith in response to revolvingadjustment of the grooving element so as to effect vertical adjustmentof the grooving element relative to the carriage; a gear fixed to saidmounting means co-axially of the bearing element; an actuating shaftjournaled vertically on the carriage and prime mover; means on saidshaft co-actable with the gear to rotate the latter while the primemover remains stationary, so as to effect rotation of the mounting meansand hence revolving adjustment of the grooving element; said actuatingshaft being axially shiftable upwardly from the carriage sufficiently todisengage the latter so as to enable said mounting means to be rotatingwith the bearing element through more than a revolution.

'7. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement threadedly mounted on the carriage for vertical adjustment whenrotated; a connector element mounted on the 7 bearing element forrotation about a vertical effect said revolving adjustment of thegrooving w element by rotating the mounting means; a prime axis andhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced posts; a second bearingelement fixed on said posts; an arm fixed to said elements to projectradially therefrom; a grooving wheel rotatably mounted on the arm; anelectric motor having a vertical drive shaft and mounted on the bearingelement; and means operatively connecting the drive shaft to thegrooving element to drive the latter.

17. A machine of the class described comprising: a carriage; a bearingelement mounted on the carriage for movement about a vertical axis; agrooving element; means mounting the grooving element from the bearingelement for rotation and for revolving movement about the axis of thebearing element; a prime mover supported from the bearing element andhaving a drive shaft co-axially related to the bearing element; means bywhich the prime mover can be confined against rotation or freed forrotation; means for driving the grooving element from said shaft; andmeans whereby adjustment of the bearing element about its axis willeffect vertical adjustment of the bearing element.

18. In a machine for grooving a vertical wall, a carriage; a prime moverhaving a drive shaft; means mounting the prime mover on the carriage forrotation about the shaft axis with the latter vertically disposed; agrooving element; means rigidly secured to the prime mover, mounting thegrooving element for rotation and for revoluble movement with the primemover as a unit about the axis of said shaft; means 0perativelyconnecting the drive shaft to the grooving element to drive the latter;and means by which rotational movement of the prim mover can be effectedto cause bodily movement of the grooving element into and. out ofengagement with the wall.

LOUIS R. WILLIAMS.

